Chapter 9: Playing Dirty

Han Chengxu had practiced medicine for decades and had never encountered a patient like Qin Wanyi. Her beautiful face was ruined, her chance to soar like a phoenix was gone, and yet, she could still smile.

Could something be wrong with her head?

"Imperial Physician Han, how is it?" Zhong Qiyu was growing impatient. He desperately wanted to leave this room, but he couldn't lash out in front of Qin Zheng. He had to leave himself some room to maneuver; he would need Qin Zheng’s support in the future to keep Fan Jiguang’s influence in check.

"This wound... it is severely burned," Han Chengxu said after examining her, letting out a long, regretful sigh.

"It is quite severe. It’s been five or six days, and it’s still as swollen and painful as it was when it was first burned. If it weren't for Suyue stopping me, I’m sure I would have scratched it and made the injury even worse." Qin Wanyi frowned, her expression grave. "Imperial Physician Han, do you think you should prescribe some medicine to promote skin regeneration, clear away blood stasis, and nourish the body? Perhaps some shaped ginseng, century-old lingzhi, or thousand-year-old fleeceflower root?"

Han Chengxu’s forehead was covered in black lines after hearing this. Since he began practicing medicine, he had truly encountered a patient unlike any other. What woman in this world, upon facing such a situation, wouldn't first worry about whether her face would be scarred? She, on the other hand, was first concerned with nourishing her body, asking for highly tonic medicinal herbs as if she were suffering from excessive blood loss or a deficiency of vital energy.

"I have checked your pulse, young lady. It is very steady, and your body is in no distress. Taking heavy tonics would actually be counterproductive; it is better to proceed gradually with a light diet."

"Is that so..." Qin Wanyi looked utterly disappointed, grumbling inwardly. *How stingy. The palace has so many medicinal herbs they’re practically molding; why be so miserly? It’s not like they’re coming out of his own pocket.*

Noticing Qin Wanyi’s dejection, Han Chengxu comforted her: "The wound on your face, if cleaned meticulously and dressed with the right medicine, should be able to heal with careful attention."

Zhong Qiyu and Qin Zheng looked relieved, but Qin Wanyi asked directly, "But, Imperial Physician Han, even if the wound heals, it will likely leave a red mark similar to a birthmark, won't it?"

Under the gaze of everyone present, Han Chengxu didn't know whether to call Qin Wanyi foolishly slow or brilliantly wise. If he called her ignorant, she actually knew that scarring was inevitable after healing. If he called her exceptionally clever, she was intentionally helping, yet she refused to accept it. He could only nod: "At this degree, it will indeed leave a scar."

"What?" Zhong Qiyu said coldly. "Imperial Physician Han, why didn't you say so earlier? Are you trying to hide something?"

"Your Highness, please forgive me. This humble official is only acting under orders." Han Chengxu was quite bold, actually pinning the blame on the Emperor. But since it was the Emperor’s order, Zhong Qiyu naturally dared not say anything more.

Seeing that the matter had been exposed, Han Chengxu shook his head and sighed. How did he end up running into such a person? Even the Emperor was helping her, yet she was simply not cut out for this.

With this, Qin Wanyi felt a sense of relief.

Zhong Qiyu had been waiting for these very words. Whether it would work or not, a single scar would decide the outcome. His intentions could not have been clearer; asking Han Chengxu to examine her was secondary—the true purpose was the assessment. The marriage being called off was imminent, though he hadn't expected the Emperor to still be secretly helping her at this stage.

However, to her surprise, Zhong Qiyu seemed hesitant and did not propose breaking off the engagement on the spot, as if he were making a desperate struggle. Presumably, the Emperor had applied significant pressure on him. It had not been easy to facilitate the Crown Prince’s marriage; calling it off now would shake the foundations of the court.

"What if the Medical Saint were to intervene? Is there any possibility of recovery?" After a long silence, Zhong Qiyu found one last glimmer of hope that could balance everything.

The Medical Saint?

Qin Wanyi immediately became interested, her eyes sparkling. She had always been humble in seeking advice from the heads of various specialized fields and was insatiably curious about gossip. She had intended to ask who this person was and how capable they were, but she caught a glimpse of Han Chengxu’s sour, displeased expression.

After a moment of thought, she understood. It made sense—Han Chengxu was the Head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, leading a group of highly skilled physicians. He was considered the number one person in the medical field of the Daxing Dynasty, yet he couldn't heal the wound on her face. Now, being asked about some "Medical Saint," he must be feeling stifled and humiliated.

Weighing the pros and cons, for the sake of her immediate interests, she decided to keep quiet about the Medical Saint for now and investigate later.

Han Chengxu said with a cold face, "I cannot be certain. Only after Sun Yao has seen it himself can we determine if the red scar can be removed."

*Sun Yao, is it?* Qin Wanyi secretly noted the name.

Upon hearing this, Qin Jingshu gave Qin Wanyi a look. Today’s goal was not to have her treated, but to have her turn the tide.

Qin Wanyi pretended not to see it. She tugged on Han Chengxu’s sleeve, looking utterly miserable: "Imperial Physician Han, although I don't understand medicine and have forgotten some things, I am not an ignorant person. How could such a wound possibly recover as if nothing happened within half a month? And since he is a Medical Saint, a person who comes and goes like a phantom, how could he be found within half a month?"

It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned the date. By repeating it, she made it sound as if everyone else were oblivious. It was already the end of the first lunar month; even if a deity descended to earth, it might already be too late.

"If we really want to find someone, it’s not impossible. As long as Imperial Physician Han goes through—"

"Your Highness." Han Chengxu interrupted Zhong Qiyu. "This humble official eats the Emperor’s salary and performs the Emperor’s duties. If you truly require me to find the Medical Saint, I will go myself."

*Tsk, tsk.* It seemed that Sun Yao and Han Chengxu had quite a history. What could it possibly be that would provoke the Head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine to the point of defying the Crown Prince just to avoid revealing the hidden matter?

Seeing Han Chengxu stand up to leave, Qin Wanyi hurriedly grabbed his sleeve. *Medicinal herbs are like parents; how could she let him go so easily? Is it easy to see the Head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine?*

Han Chengxu looked back at Qin Wanyi’s actions in surprise. Qin Wanyi gripped his sleeve with one hand and clutched her chest with the other, forcing a few tears into her eyes.

"I know Imperial Physician Han has good intentions, but I know I cannot delay the Crown Prince’s important affairs with a hope that has no conclusion." Qin Wanyi wore a wounded expression, her sorrow deeply revealed. "It is just that this commoner has shallow fortune and lacks the blessing to walk the path of glory alongside the Crown Prince."

The crowd couldn't help but sigh. Even Qin Jingshu couldn't tell if Qin Wanyi was acting or truly expressing her feelings. The position of Crown Princess, which had been within her grasp, was now gone—she must truly be crying.

They were filled with emotion, almost forgetting that Qin Wanyi had been resistant to this marriage from the start, and it had taken much persuasion to get her to accept it quietly.

"Big sister..." Qin Suyue walked to the bedside and collapsed onto the bed, sobbing. "You will be fine. I will definitely find the Medical Saint to treat you."

Qin Wanyi was touched by Qin Suyue’s words, but this wasn't a life-or-death parting. With Qin Suyue crying like this, how was she supposed to keep acting?

This time, Qin Wanyi shot a look at Qin Jingshu. Qin Jingshu could not ignore it and had to step forward to comfort Qin Suyue.

"Third sister, don't cry. It will only make Big Sister feel worse. Second sister will take you outside." Qin Jingshu used a bit of force to pull Qin Suyue up and lead her out. As she passed behind Zhong Qiyu, she looked back at Qin Wanyi with a silent warning.